City of Kelowna Arts & Culture June Update

City of Kelowna Arts & Culture June Update

Cultural Plan Highlight: Share our Story

The 2020-2025 Cultural Plan sets priorities for the enhancement of cultural vitality and community spaces and sets a course for future cultural development in our community.

This month we are featuring Cultural Plan Strategy 5.1 Honour the importance and share the history and culture of Indigenous people with a focus on the local sylix/Okanagan people.

• Use the nsyilxcen language on signage.
• Provide training to all civil servants about the history of Indigenous peoples.
• Become educated on the history and culture of the syilx/Okanagan People.

How will you support this strategy? How will you support this strategy? June is National Indigenous History Month, spark you interest by checking out some of these resources: Sncewips Heritage Museum, Kelowna Museums, Indigenous Tourism BC, Parks Canada, Government of Canada.

To learn more about our 2020-2025 Cultural Plan visit kelowna.ca/culture.

---

Queer Zine Fair
Kelowna’s first Queer Zine Fair is being hosted by Kelowna Museums and the University of British Columbia Okanagan Library.

Queer zine fairs showcase and celebrate zines created by 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals or focusing on 2SLGBTQIA+ themes. Queer artists, writers, and creatives can sign up for free to exhibit, sell, or trade their zines.

When: June 3, 6-8 p.m.

Where: Laurel Packinghouse

Learn more at queerzine.ca.

2S Powwow

Kelowna Pride Society is honoured to be hosting the 1st Annual 2S Powwow!

The 2S Powwow is a collaboration by the Kelowna Pride Society, and Aaron Mitchell (Syilx) of Four Feathers 2 Spirit Society. This event has been created in consultation with the Syilx Indigiqueer Council and indigenous organizations in Syilx Territory across BC.

When: June 6 from 5:30–9:30 p.m.
Where: City Park

Learn more at kelownapride.com.

Free Concerts in the Park

Kelowna City Concert Band is delighted to present its annual Concerts in the Park this June.

Round up your friends and family, bring your chairs and maybe a picnic, and settle down for an evening of musical magic. Marches, folk songs, big band classics and music from the movies… there will be something for all tastes.

June 12: 7 p.m. at Guisachan Heritage Park

June 19: 7 p.m. at Island Waterfront Park

Syilx Traditional plant tour

The Okanagan is incredibly biodiverse, and the syilx/Okanagan people have deep knowledge of how to use the different plant species for food, medicine, shelter, even natural deodorant! Put on your walking shoes and join us for this always popular outdoor event. Free tickets are intended for members of Indigenous nations.

When: June 23, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Where: Laurel Packinghouse & Rotary Marsh

For tickets and more information visit kelownamuseums.ca.

Capacity building and grant opportunities:

City of Kelowna upcoming artist opportunities!

Three artist opportunities are currently available and accepting applications:

•    Artist in Residence: this program offers the opportunity to engage with the community, create art for the City of Kelowna and address the topic of the environment and/or climate change through community engagement and the work of art.

•    Community Art Grant: this grant supports projects that engage practicing artists with residents in a collaborative, collective, creative process which results in a temporary work of art.

•    Cultural District Winter Banners: The City is seeking local artists to submit designs/artwork to be displayed on streetlamp banners in Kelowna’s Cultural District as part of the 2024 Winter Street Banner Program.

Learn more about these opportunities by attending an information session on June 11 & 13. Register for an information session today!

Call for Artists – Arts on the Avenue 2024

Visual artists of all kinds are invited to sell and show their work at Arts on the Avenue!

Since 2015, Arts on the Avenue has taken over Bernard Avenue for a single day, free, outdoor visual arts event geared toward an adult audience with its curated marketplace, live demonstrations, hands-on art activities, and eclectic performances.

Painting, jewelry, photography, pottery; all visual artists are invited to sell and showcase their works!

More information and to apply, visit festivalskelowna.ca.

Learn the Indigenous Language of the syilx Okanagan peoples

Would you like to greet students or visitors in nsyilxcən?

Would you like to master some basic vocabulary, and gain a deeper understanding of syilx culture and connection to place?

This workshop will give participants a start on pronunciation, greetings and language meaning. This class is for everyone, regardless of heritage.

This workshop is designed as a series of four Tuesday sessions, June 4, 11, 18 and 25.

Register today at kelownamuseums.ca.

Applications for Oshki Wupoowane/The Blanket Fund are now open
The Blanket Fund provides support for Indigenous cultural, artistic, and educational activities.

Indigenous people, as well as Indigenous-led initiatives and organizations in Canada, are eligible to apply for ‘Reconciliation Action Grants’ and ‘Capacity Building Grants’.

Learn more and apply at downiewenjack.ca.

Decolonizing Workplace Practices

Decolonization is a “buzz word” we often see in workplaces today. But what does decolonization even mean? Is it possible? What are the limitations? What is the difference between decolonization, Indigenization, and reconciliation?

This session will explore the professional side of decolonization work, who benefits from decolonization, and how you can include everyday acts of decolonization in your professional work.

Learn more and register at inclusivitysight.com.

Each month, we feature a piece from a local creative youth who shares their words and art as part of our Creative Youth Perspective series.

Do you know a creative youth who would be a good candidate for our Creative Youth Perspective program? Have them submit an application today!

Emily Brolund shares her experience of mentoring the Youth Arts Council at the Rotary Centre for the Arts below:

This past school year, I had the opportunity to help mentor the Rotary Centre for the Arts, Youth Arts Council (YAC). I was a member of this group last year, helping lead a 3-month-long exhibition titled Artists of Kelowna: Recognition and Presence, along with a matching Instagram interview project. 

While mentoring the YAC, I was able to take on a leadership role, which I enjoyed very much. I helped lead meetings and develop schedules and still actively participated in their project. We decided to hold an Art Market Fundraiser, which will be held on June 1. We collaborated with Upstream to fundraise for their project to bring mental health services into middle schools. 

I had so much fun mentoring this year, and I would highly recommend anyone between the ages of 13 and 17 (Grades 8 and 12) to apply to be on the 2024-2025 Youth Arts Council! Follow our journey on

Instagram @rcayouthartscouncil.

---